SANTA ANA – They met as they were being released from Orange County Jail, became friends and planned their next crime spree.

As told by Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna, that’s the start of a short adventure that has police scratching their heads over why the less-than-dynamic duo set their sights on a parking structure next to police headquarters and the jail.

Six hours after their release, they were back behind bars.

Jose Manuel Ortiz, 35, of Winnetka and Ryan Tischer, 37, of Anaheim were arrested after they stole a van, broke into the car of an officer and attempted to rob another officer, Bertagna said. The men were booked into Santa Ana Jail and are expected to be returned to Orange County Jail.

They were released from they jail around 7 p.m. Wednesday, Ortiz after prosecutors opted not to file conspiracy charges and Tischer after serving several days for creating a disturbance. They shortly after stole a 1994 Ford Econoline van from the 100 block of West Second Street, a few blocks away, Bertagna said.

The men then returned to the area of the jail and parked in a structure next to the Santa Ana police station. The structure is open to the public and typically used by people with business at the department.

Bertagna describes what happened:

Around midnight, a Santa Ana police officer who had just finished his shift was walking to his car. The officer, who was not in uniform, was talking on a cellphone when he was confronted by Ortiz. He asked the officer for his phone, then more aggressively demanded the phone. The officer refused. As Ortiz moved to physically confront the officer, the officer defended himself and took the man into custody.

After Ortiz’s arrest, a booking officer inside the police department was cataloging the man’s property when he recognized his own possessions. A flashlight and keychain were found to be taken from the officer’s car, which was parked in the structure. Police discovered the car had been broken into, and they also found Tischer in the stolen van, Bertagna said.

The men were arrested on suspicion of stealing the van, burglary and possession of stolen property. Ortiz was also arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery.

If conviced, the crimes add to both men’s lengthy records, which include offenses from assault to stealing cars.

Bertagna said he had no idea why the men were so close to the police department and jail: “They picked the wrong victim.”

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